Ventura County Landmark No. 127: Pioneer Section of Simi Valley Public Library (El Rancho Simi Cemetery)
Historical Background
The El Rancho Simi Cemetery is the earliest recorded burial ground in Simi Valley, established in 1890. Clementine Parantau arrived in the area shortly after the California land-boom years of 1877–1888 and purchased property from the Mutual Benefit Colony of Chicago. This corporation, founded by eight physicians, promoted Simi Valley as an ideal climate for agriculture and for restoring the health of invalids. Their promotional materials may have influenced Clementine’s decision to settle in Simi Valley, where she ultimately established the Simi Cemetery in 1890 (El Rancho Simi Cemetery District, n.d.).
One of the first individuals buried at the cemetery was a member of the Parantau family, Richard A. Parantau, who died from consumption in 1893. Clementine Parantau followed five years later, passing away at the age of 79 in 1898. Both were buried in the cemetery. Clementine was survived by two daughters and a son. One of the daughters, also named Clementine, took over management of the cemetery and sold burial lots to pioneer families (El Rancho Simi Cemetery District, n.d).
Many pioneer families—individuals influential in the community and foundational to the development of Simi—were later interred there as well, their stories preserved in the El Rancho Simi Pioneer Cemetery (El Rancho Simi Cemetery District, n.d.).
The Property Today
The cemetery remained privately owned until 1946, when it was purchased by the County of Ventura. It then became a public cemetery district overseen by county appointed trustees (Avoiding Regret, 2019).
Approximately 7.5 acres of the burial grounds contain the original pioneer Simi settlers. The land is marked by everything from ornate headstones to simple, handmade markers.
Since becoming a public cemetery, the El Rancho Simi burial ground has faced several challenges. The 1994 Northridge earthquake caused significant damage, and heavy rains over the years have led to soil sinking and instability. Mismanagement of burial plots resulted in some individuals being interred in incorrect locations (Avoiding Regret, 2019). The cemetery also faced at least two lawsuits related to the mishandling of loved ones’ remains.
Despite these challenges, the cemetery is showing meaningful signs of improvement. A new digital inventory system has been implemented (Simi Valley Acorn, July 26, 2019), the grounds are being steadily restored, and additional options—such as the scattering garden—are helping to stabilize the cemetery’s financial footing. These developments ensure that the residents of Simi Valley can continue to honor their past while also preserving a dignified resting place for future generations (Simi Valley Acorn, January 18, 2019)
Additional Viewing
References
Avoiding Regret (2019). Digging up the pioneer history of El Rancho Simi, California. https://www.avoidingregret.com/2019/10/digging-up-pioneer-history-of-el-rancho.html
El Rancho Simi Cemetery District (n.d.). History of our district. https://erscemetery.specialdistrict.org/history-of-our-district
Simi Valley Acorn (January 18, 2019). Cemetery is building scattering garden. https://www.simivalleyacorn.com/articles/cemetery-is-building-scattering-garden/
Simi Valley Acorn (July 26, 2019). First phase of plot maps, digitized records complete. https://www.simivalleyacorn.com/articles/first-phase-of-plot-maps-digitized-records-complete/
Date Designated: January 1990
Location: 1461 Thompson Lane, Simi Valley
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